VICTORIA – MLA Rob Fleming has issued the following statement regarding not seeking re-election:

“I am incredibly thankful to all my constituents in Victoria-Swan Lake for their trust and support through five provincial elections. After much careful consideration, I have decided to not seek re-election this Fall. It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my constituents in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for the better part of two decades.

“I have had the good fortune of serving with many incredible colleagues in the BC New Democrat caucus and cabinet. I count many colleagues from all parties in the House as good friends and I respect the perspectives of MLAs from every part of our great province and for their diligent and sincere work to improve the lives of the citizens they represent.

“I have enjoyed working directly with two dedicated, thoughtful and hard-working premiers, John Horgan and David Eby, and I thank them for their confidence in me in the role of Minister of Education and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.  I also want to thank Carole James, as Leader of the Official Opposition, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance for her outstanding leadership and many years as a colleague representing Victoria.

“I am proud to be a part of a government that is building an ambitious and affordable universal childcare system for working families, providing young children the best possible start to be successful in school. I am proud that our government created a fairer tax system that has significantly reduced child poverty through the Family Tax Credit program. I am proud that our government eliminated the MSP healthcare tax, helping working families to keep more of their incomes. And I am proud that our government continues to pursue reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and First Nations to create a more just and prosperous province.

“Today in Victoria-Swan Lake and the Capital Region, thousands of new, affordable homes have been built or are under construction. Homes for seniors, young people starting careers, working families, students, as well as the most vulnerable in society. Partnerships with non-profits, post-secondary institutions, municipal housing corporations and the private sector are helping expand the stock of affordable housing in my community and across B.C.

“As Minister of Education, I was on a mission to speed up the building and upgrading of hundreds of schools, seismic upgrades and additions across B.C. For my constituents, an investment in Western Canada’s oldest secondary school, Victoria High School, a new Cedar Hill Middle School, and numerous seismic projects in elementary schools are of real benefit for the future. I thank teachers, support staff and school administrators for helping our school system emerge from the pandemic with the fewest lost days of class instruction in Canada.

“As Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, I am proud of our government’s investment in the expansion of public transportation and Transit Oriented Development. This includes the extension of the SkyTrain from Surrey to Langley, the first in 30 years south of the Fraser, and the Broadway subway project. Together, these concurrent projects represent a combined 28 per cent expansion of the existing network. I am proud to be part of electrifying and expanding BC Transit services across the province with new rapid bus systems introduced. Investments we have made in active transportation, highway improvements, roads and bridges strengthen our supply chain and economy.

“I am forever grateful for the ingenuity, night and day dedication and cooperation of BC Roadbuilders, unions, First Nations, and Ministry of Transportation staff, to rebuild in record time the Coquihalla highway that was devastated by the November 2021 atmospheric rivers.

“Thank you to the excellent public servants I had the opportunity to work with in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Education, and across government, for their invaluable work as our government executed our agenda on behalf of British Columbians.

“I am grateful for the teams in my constituency and Ministerial offices who tirelessly advocated for our constituents and community and helped me every day to put my best foot forward. Of the many talented staff who have supported me over the years, I’d like to recognize my Chief of Staff, Veronica Harrison, and staff Melissa Farrance and Will Maartman for their years of comradery, good humour, and tolerance of me.

“And thank you to the countless volunteers who work on elections in my party and in all parties who do the important work to support representative democracy by knocking on doors, putting up lawn signs and having animated, energizing conversations with their friends, family and neighbours. They are the lifeblood of our cherished democratic way of life.

“Lastly and most importantly, thank you to my family for their unwavering support over the past nineteen years. I could not have done my job without the love and support of my wonderful wife, Maura, and our incredible children, Rory and Jack. 

“While I am not seeking re-election this October, I remain deeply committed to working my utmost to re-elect Premier Eby and the BC NDP team. This government has accomplished much, but there is much more to do. I am optimistic about our province’s ability to solve complex problems when we work together. And I hope to continue to be able to contribute to solving our challenges in a different capacity in the future.”

– Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria – Swan Lake